BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted and fully sighted.
June 2015 newsletter
BOLD Ventures (Blind Outdoor Leisure Development) June, 2015
BOLD welcomes persons 18 and older with all degrees of vision: blind, low vision, partially sighted, and fully sighted.
PO Box 8114 Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Terri Winaught, Editor
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Yahoo Group: wpabold@yahoogroups.com (moderator must approve posts)
Update Line: 1-773-597-4222 (updates recorded each Friday)
JUBILANT JUNE
June's events are: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall on Wednesdays the 10th and 24th; Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall on Thursday the 4th; the start of Rowing also on the 4th; Yoga every Thursday unless fewer than four people sign up; the Board meeting on Tuesday the 2nd; a Fundraiser on Saturday the 6th; Dragon Boating starting also on the 6th; and a picnic/ outdoor games at Highland Park's Sycamore Grove on Saturday the 20th.
PAST EVENTS
The Camp Kon-o-Kwee Weekend was a great success, with all 23 campers having had a great time.
Thanks for the many ways in which they helped to: John Perseo, Jim Winaught and Ashley Winaught. Appreciation also to Aimee Yunt for lots of guiding, along with Ernie College and Carol Platt for delicious, homemade fudge, peanut brittle and cocoa crispy treats.
The high school students who volunteered did such an excellent job that Mark Grasak's statement sums it up perfectly:
"You hear so many bad things on the news about young people, but the dedication these kids showed gives you hope for the future."
(For more see Cindy Perseo's Personal Perspective.)
LOOKING AHEAD
July's meeting will be on Tuesday the 7th, just as we are considering an early morning July hike.
Since last year's Gateway Clipper cruise and picnic buffet lunch went so well, Penny Fleckenstein will be contacting them about a July or September date.
The Gottschalk Swim Party and picnic will be on Saturday, August 1st from noon to 5 PM with Sunday the 2nd being the rain date.
By next month's newsletter, we will know if Waterskiing will be on Sunday, August 23rd or Sunday the 30th.
PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
CINDY PERSEO'S PERSPECTIVE ON KON-O-KWEE
"The first thing I liked about Kon-o-Kwee was the walk on Friday night," Cindy began. "It was a short walk, and I got to wear my really comfortable, high-top shoes," Cindy continued.
Cindy also was impressed with how comfortable the camp's beds were. "New beds they said," Cindy shared. Though these foam beds were comfortable, Cindy reported not sleeping well that first night ("Too many of those way too delicious cocoa crispy treats," she speculated).
"On Saturday, John was more active than I was. While I was taking a nap, John was participating in many activities, including walking Tudor, Joyce's Seeing Eye dog, and even running around the lake with him (something they both enjoyed).
"I was really surprised Saturday afternoon when I found out that Bernie Cummings was there. At first, Bernie didn't want me to know because he wanted to surprise me.
"Saturday evening before our Bluegrass concert and sing-along, I won a jar with two $20 bills in it playing Bingo. The $20 bills were fake (wouldn't you just know it)?
"When Bernie and his Mom returned, Bernie did his always wonderful job singing and playing guitar. Like last year, I got a chance to sing with Bernie, which was really special. Linda Davis also did a super job singing, and I told Terri Winaught that her singing of "Amazing Grace" was beautiful. Jim Musto played the accordion during Bernie's performance, just as he did Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
"Sunday morning, it was time to say goodbye.
"Since Kon-o-Kwee is such a good place, I have only one suggestion to make it even better: Keep the food hotter while serving."
To write or be interviewed for a Personal Perspective, phone 412-263-2022, E-mail t.winaught@verizon.net or bring a perspective to a Board meeting.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
On Friday, June 5th and Saturday the 6th, the City of Asylum Theater Project will present Micro, a history of economics in the lives of persons with disabilities, their family members, friends and caregivers.
For show times, ticket prices, the Hazlet Theater's North Side address, and any other info you'd like, contact Shanae Phillips:
432.288.5328
sphillips@cityofasylumpittsburgh.org
Though there may be others that this Editor is unaware of, Ceinwen King-Smith is one BOLD member who will be featured in the performance alongside professional actors, with more about what promises to be a stellar performance in July's newsletter.
FUNDRAISING FACTS
The new date for the Fundraiser that was to have been held on March 14th is Saturday, June 6th; the time is 1 to 5 PM; and the venue is One Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh.
When signing up by 10 PM on Saturday, May 30th, let Terri Winaught, 412-263-2022, know if you want to be in the Talent Show.
The cost per person is a minimum donation of $5, with persons who can give more being encouraged to do so since BOLD will have to pay for food which would have been free on the original date.
We will be getting a sandwich ring, a humus sandwich, potato salad, a gluten-free vegan cake, a vanilla & chocolate cakes, pop and water. (Veronique will be baking all cakes, and bringing all of the refreshments.)
In July's BOLD Ventures, the Fundraising Chair will report on the amount raised.
MARKETPLACE
Jim Wiseman is generously giving away a pair of Nordic Downhill skis that are like new, and 58 inches long. Jim is also giving away ski poles, Nordic boots, which are size 7-1/2, a ski bag and a boot bag. The boot bag has compartments for gloves and hats. Like the boot bag, the ski bag is also canvas. The bindings are also in good condition, having been used only four or five times.
"I have never done anything like this for BOLD before," Jim explained, "but I really want a young person or anyone just starting out as a skier or ski guide to get the break I got. When I started skiing, I had nothing and didn't even know what kind of clothes I needed. When a fellow skier saw that during a Hidden Valley weekend, he gave me lots of really nice ski clothes."
If you could use Jim's donation, call 412-682-1926.
BOLD BITS
Carol Platt is recovering nicely from hip replacement surgery she had in April, and tooth extractions she also had that month.
Joyce Driben continues to recover from a procedure she had in May, your best wishes and prayers for both Carol and Joyce being greatly appreciated.
To watch the skiing video which Nancy Leverett showed on March 22nd, follow this link on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju21xNeQOD8
Congratulations to Jim Winaught whose bowling team won a championship in April, Jim's score having been 177. Congratulations also to Penny Fleckenstein's son, Isaac who received an advanced placement history award as a junior in high school.
Congrats also to Aimee Yunt on playing a guitar duet at an April Community College recital, and Penny Fleckenstein who launched a blog on Mother's Day: notyouraveragesinglemom.com.
The Golden Triangle Council of the Blind will hold their monthly meeting on Saturday, June 20th.
There is often a speaker from 1 to 1:45 followed by the rest of the meeting from 2 to 3:30 PM.
The venue is One Smithfield Street, in either the Rachael Carson or the Homestead Grays Room.
If you are not a member of the Council but would like to join, dues are $15 a year. Membership is open to persons with all degrees of vision.
The Lutheran Center for the Blind will host their ice cream social on Sunday, August 2nd, with the sign-up deadline being in July's newsletter.
This annual summer outing starts at noon; ends at 2:30 and features hot dogs, potato or macaroni salad, and ice cream with many available toppings.
Welcome to new BOLD member Mark Lee from the Carnegie Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Happy Birthday to Lynda Davis, Cindy Groome, Peggy Walsh, and anyone else with a June birthday.
If you have a BOLD Bit, phone 412-263-2022, bring it to a meeting or E-mail t.winaught@verizon.net. You can also use this information to give the Editor newsletter feedback.
MAY CALENDAR
Note: To save space, contact information will be given only once.
Tuesday the 26th: 9 'PM Yoga sign-up deadline with Veronique, 412-225-4038.
Wednesday the 27th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall, starting at 9 AM and meeting at the Mall's food court entrance.
Thursday the 28th: Yoga at Schoolhouse Studio, 2215 Murray Ave. from 2:30 to 4 PM.
Saturday the 30th: 10 PM reservation deadline for the June 6th Fundraiser with Terri Winaught: 412-263-2022. If you sign up for the Talent Show, we are asking that you keep your performance to between 5 and 7 minutes.
Sunday the 31st: "Midsummer" at the Pittsburgh City Theatre: 1300 Bingham Street. This play starts at 2 PM and is preceded by a 1 PM sensory workshop for persons who are blind or have limited vision.
Sunday the 31st is also the 9 PM sign-up deadline for Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall: 724-444-0464, and 10 PM deadline letting Tammi Swiantek know you will be at June's Board meeting: 412-488-6298.
JUNE CALENDAR
Tuesday the 2nd: BOLD'S Board meeting will be held at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children: 201 North Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh, 15213. Time? 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
Tuesday the 2nd is also the 9 PM deadline to sign up for Yoga with Veronique Schreurs: 412-225-4038.
Thursday the 4th: Mall Walking at the Ross Park Mall from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM; Yoga from 2:30 to 4 PM; Rowing at Washington's Landing, 300 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, 15222 from 6 to 8 PM; and Mall Walking sign-up deadline by 9 PM with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385.
Saturday the 6th: Dragon Boating from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Millvale Boathouse: 90 Riverfront Drive, Pittsburgh, 15209; and Fundraiser at One Smithfield Street from 1 to 5 PM. We will be in the Liberty room on the lower level; donations will be accepted upon arrival; lunch will be from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, at which time the Talent Show will begin.
There will be a 15-minute intermission during the Talent Show.
Tuesday the 9th: 9 PM Yoga sign-up deadline with Veronique.
Wednesday the 10th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.
Thursday the 11th: Yoga at Squirrel Hill's Schoolhouse Studio from 2:30 to 4; and Rowing at Washington's Landing from 6 to 8.
Saturday the 13th: Dragon Boating from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Millvale Boathouse, and 10 PM reservation deadline with Tammi Swiantek, 412-488-6298, for Ray Jablonowski's picnic at Highland Park.
Tuesday the 16th: 9 PM Yoga sign-up deadline with Peggy.
Thursday the 18th: Yoga in Squirrel Hill from 2:30 to 4; Rowing at Washington's Landing from 6 to 8; and sign-up deadline by 9 PM for Mall Walking with Joyce Driben: 412-521-4385.
Saturday the 20th: Picnic and Outdoor Games from 12:30 to 5 PM. When reserving with Tammi Swiantek, feel free to ask her for directions, or-if you have computer access, Google, "Sycamore Grove, Highland Park," and you will be given directions.
Editor's Note: To persons who are blind, thank you for asking if everyone has had first helpings before you request seconds; to those with limited vision, thank you for being open about what you realistically can and cannot do given the nature of your vision loss; and thank you to sighted volunteers for letting persons who are blind know when everyone has gotten first helpings, and also for not assuming that someone requesting help is sighted when he or she might actually have limited vision.
Tuesday the 23rd: 9 PM deadline to sign up with Peggy for Yoga.
Wednesday the 14th: Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall.
Thursday the 25th: Yoga and Rowing.
Saturday the 27th: Dragon Boating.
Many thanks to Maurice Johnston, Marty Mathews, Veronique Schreurs and the Braille Outreach Team Tina Wassermann leads for making this newsletter available and accessible.
THE END